Author Archives: nancyleek

About nancyleek

Nancy is a retired librarian who lives in Chico, California. She is the author of John Bidwell: The Adventurous Life of a California Pioneer.

October 14, 1841

Posted on October 14, 2011 by nancyleek

But first—-this announcement: I’ll be signing books at the Chico Library Fall Festival tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If anyone would like a copy of my book, or would like to meet and talk to the author, please … Continue reading →

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October 11, 1841

Posted on October 11, 2011 by nancyleek

“Monday, 11th. Left the lake this morning going into the mountains on a S.W. course. Today we left the trail of Capt. B. and having traveled 19 miles, arrived on a stream which flowed rapidly, and afforded more water than … Continue reading →

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October 7, 1841

Posted on October 7, 2011 by nancyleek

“Now we have been found fault with long enough, and we are going to California. If you can keep up with us, all right; if you cannot, you may go to hell!” Captain John Bartleson’s words still rang in John … Continue reading →

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October 5-6, 1841

Posted on October 6, 2011 by nancyleek

“Tuesday, 5th. Today was very warm, and the oxen were not able to keep up with the horses. Traveled about 30 miles and stopped on the river about dark–grass plenty, willows–this going so fast was the fault of Capt. B., … Continue reading →

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October 2, 1841

Posted on October 2, 2011 by nancyleek

“Saturday, 2nd. Having traveled about 5 miles, we all beheld with delight the course of the river change to S. W. Here was excellent grass–it was 3 or 4 feet high, and stood thick like a meadow, it was a … Continue reading →

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The many names of the Humboldt River

Posted on October 1, 2011 by nancyleek

“October 1st. The stream had already attained the size of which we supposed Mary’s river to be, and yet its course was due N.W. Distance 20 miles.” Still in doubt about whether they had found Mary’s River or not, the … Continue reading →

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The Mighty Buenaventura River (Legend)

Posted on September 29, 2011 by nancyleek

“Our ignorance of the route was complete. We knew that California lay west, and that was the extent of our knowledge. Some of the maps consulted, supposed of course to be correct, showed a lake in the vicinity of where … Continue reading →

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September 28-29, 1841

Posted on September 29, 2011 by nancyleek

“Tuesday, 28th. Traveled about 70 miles. Several Indians came to our camp this evening–no timber excepting willows, grass plenty.” 70 miles? How did they do that? Most days they made 18 or 20 miles, which was a good rate of … Continue reading →

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September 26, 1841

Posted on September 27, 2011 by nancyleek

“Sunday, 26th. The valley, seen yesterday evening, was but 4 or 5 miles in length and led into another difficult defile, though not so long as the one of yesterday, for we passed it into another valley. Distance 18 miles–the … Continue reading →

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September 24-25,1841

Posted on September 24, 2011 by nancyleek

“Friday, 24th. As we descended the stream it rapidly increased in size, and proved to be the branch of a larger stream. The country was desolate and barren, excepting immediately on the streams . . .” “Saturday, 25th. The creek … Continue reading →